There is very real evidence that many of the drugs that have been demonized in years past, particularly psychedelics, have tremendous potential for alleviating human suffering. Many of these same very powerful drugs of course have great potential for abuse and harm also. But because of bureaucratic stupidity mixed with the innate American tendency toward Puritanism progress in researching these substances has been hindered unnecessarily. It is time we finally considered rescheduling many drugs. The bureaucrats might not like it. The Puritans might not like it. But many people’s lives might be made better (perhaps much better) with more research into these substances.

(From Dr. Mercola)

Psilocybin, like marijuana, is a Schedule 1 substance under the Controlled Substances Act.4,5 The mushrooms are typically ingested in their fresh or dried form, or can be made into tea. Large doses have been known to induce panic and/or psychosis.

On the other hand, research shows it can also have the opposite effect — providing long-lasting relief from anxiety and depression. Unfortunately, being a Schedule 1 drug, obtaining scientific support for its medicinal use is extremely difficult and costly.

Last year, London-based psychiatrist James Rucker penned a commentary in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), arguing for the reclassification of LSD and magic mushrooms — which he notes are far less addictive and harmful than heroin and cocaine — in order to make it easier to conduct much needed medical research on them.6

Both LSD and magic mushrooms were widely studied in the late 1960s, prior to their classification as Schedule 1 drugs, which by definition have no medicinal use. According to Rucker:

“Hundreds of papers, involving tens of thousands of patients, presented evidence for their use as psychotherapeutic catalysts of mentally beneficial change in many psychiatric disorders, problems of personality development, recidivistic behavior, and existential anxiety.”